The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has announced that the country will, for the first time, take part in a global education benchmarking initiative known as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
In a statement issued on Monday, KNEC revealed that Kenya will join over 90 countries participating in the international assessment, which is spearheaded by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
The assessment, scheduled to begin in September 2025, will target 15-16-year-old learners across selected schools in Kenya. The students will be evaluated on how well they can apply knowledge in science, mathematics, and reading to real-world situations, as opposed to rote memorisation.
“PISA measures how students apply what they have learned to solve real-life problems. It goes beyond testing academic recall and focuses on problem-solving and critical thinking,” KNEC stated.
KNEC emphasised that the assessment comes at a critical time when the country is implementing the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which similarly prioritises practical skills and application of knowledge over traditional exam-orientated approaches.
According to the council, the data gathered from the assessment will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of Kenya’s ongoing curriculum reforms and help guide future decisions on policy, teacher training, and resource allocation.
“PISA offers a unique opportunity to benchmark our learners against global standards. This will help inform curriculum development and policy direction to ensure that Kenya’s education system remains globally competitive,” the statement added.
While only a sample of schools and students will be selected to take part in the assessment, the outcomes will influence education policy and implementation across all schools in the country.
The council has therefore called on school heads, educators, parents, and other stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the objectives of the PISA assessment and support the process to ensure meaningful participation.
“This is not just a KNEC project—it involves all of us. Everyone in the education sector, including school leaders, teachers, education officers, and even communities, has a role to play in ensuring the success of this global benchmarking exercise,” said KNEC.
KNEC is expected to begin preparations for the assessments in the coming weeks, including the identification of schools and the training of personnel involved in the exercise.
Kenya’s participation in PISA is expected to be a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to align its education standards with international expectations and build a system that equips learners with skills for the modern world.
